Teen Eating Disorders
  

EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders are real and serious illnesses that can sometimes be life-threatening.  They are also very common.  Each year, more than five million Americans have an eating disorder.

The major types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.  Approximately one percent of teenage girls develop anorexia nervosa.  Another two to three percent of young women develop bulimia nervosa.  Binge eating disorder is found in about two percent of the general population - more often in women than men.

It is very likely that you know someone who has an eating disorder.  The good news is that there is hope.  Learning how to identify these disorders can help you to help yourself or a friend with an eating disorder.  With treatment, people do get better and can return to their everyday lives.
  

Anorexia Nervosa
People who intentionally starve themselves may have an eating disorder called anorexia nervosa.  The disorder, which usually begins in young people around the time of puberty, involves extreme weight loss - at least 15 percent below the individual's normal body weight.  Many people with the disorder look extremely thin but are convinced they are overweight.  For reason not yet understood, they become terrified of gaining any weight.  Sometimes they must be hospitalized to prevent starvation.  One in ten cases of anorexia nervosa leads to death from starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications or suicide.
   
WARNING SIGNS... A PERSON MAY
  • not eat enough
  • feel "fat" even if he or she is very thing
  • always feel cold and tired
  • exercise vigorously at odd hours
MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF ANOREXIA
  • starvation which can damage vital organs such as the heart adn brain
  • monthly menstrual periods stop
  • breathing, pulse, and blood pressure rates drop, and thryroud function slows
  • nails and hair become brittle
  • the skin dries, yellows, and become covered with soft fine hair
  • excessive thirst and frequent urination may occur
  • mild anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscle mss
  • bones may become brittle and prone to breakage
   
Bulimia Nervosa
People with bulimia nervosa consume large amounts of food and then rid their bodies of the excess calories by vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics (drugs that increase urination), taking enemas, or exercising obsessively.  Some use a combination of all these forms of purging.  Because many individuals with bulimia "binge and purge" in secret and maintain normal or above normal body weight, they can often successfully hide their problem from others for years.
   
WARNING SIGNS... A PERSON MAY
  • eat a lot of food quickly, then get rid of it by purging - vomiting or misusing laxatives or diuretics
  • gain and lose weight often
  • have irregular menstrual periods
  • starve himself or herself after eating instead of purging
MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF BULIMIA NERVOSA
  • an irregular heartbeat
  • dehydration (the body doesn't have enough water)
  • tooth decay from the stomach acid found in vomit
  • cuts and scrapes on the backs of hands when fingers are pushed down the throat to induce vomiting
   
Binge Eating Disorder
An illness that resembles bulimia nervosa is binge eating disorder.  Like bulimia, this disorder is characterized by episodes of uncontrolled eating or binging.  However, binge eating disorder differs from bulimia because individuals do not purge their bodies of excess food.  One-third to one-fourth of all people with binge eating disorders are men.
 
WARNING SIGNS... A PERSON MAY
  • not stop eating when full
  • become obese or gain weight rapidly
  • eat a lot of food in a short time without purging afterwards
MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF BINGE EATING DISORDER
  • serious medical problems associated with obesity, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes
 
  
Why Do Teens Develop Eating Disorders?
There may be more than one reason a person develops an eating disorder.
  
A PERSON'S SELF IMAGE
Most teens with eating disorders share certain personality traits: low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness and a fear of becoming fat.
  
THE NEED TO BE PERFECT
People with anorexia tend to be "too good to be true."  They rarely disobey, keep their feelings to themselves, and tend to be perfectionists, good students and excellent athletes.  Having followed the wishes of others for the most part, they have not learned how to cope with the problems typical of adolescence, growing up and becoming independent.
  
A STRESSFUL PERSONAL LIFE
People who develop bulimia and binge eating disorder typically consume huge amounts food - often junk food - to reduce stress and relieve anxiety.  With binge eating, however, comes guilt and depression.  Purging can bring relief, but it is only temporary.  Individuals with bulimia are also impulsive and more likely to engage in risky behavior such as abuse of alcohol and drugs.
  
SOCIETY OR FAMILY PRESSURES
Individuals with eating disorders often have parents or other family members who are overly critical of their weight.  People pursuing professions or activities that emphasize thinness - like modeling, dancing, gymnastics, wrestling, and long-distance running - are more susceptible to the problem.
  
THE BODY'S CHEMISTRY
In the central nervous system - particularly the bring - key chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters control hormone production.  Scientists have learned that levels of these neurotransmitters are decreased in acutely ill people with anorexia and bulimia and long-term recovered anorexia patients.
  
  
Co-occurring Disorders
Many teens with eating disorders also have other mental illnesses such as clinical depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality or substance abuse disorders, and may are at risk for suicide.
  
Treatment
Eating disorders are most successfully treated when diagnosed early.  The first step is a complete physical examination to rule out any other illnesses.  Once an eating disorder is diagnosed, a doctor will decide if the person is in immediate medial danger and should be treated in a hospital.
TREATMENT PLANS USUALLY INCLUDE A COMBINATION OF:
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy - learning new patterns of behavior with food and relationships
  • Psychotherapy - talking out problems with a trained professional and finding ways to solve them.  Individual, group and family therapy are often recommended.
  • Nutritional counseling - understanding proper nutrition, restoring normal body weight and learning to eating a healthy manner are critical to recovery.
  • Medication - Certain drugs may be prescribed to relieve depression, anxiety and bingeing.  Studies show that antidepressants can be used successfully to treat some people with eating disorders.
While most people can be treated in a doctor's office, some may need hospital care.
 
HOSPITAL CARE MAY BE NECESSARY IF A PERSON EXPERIENCES:
  • excessive and rapid weight loss
  • severe binge eating and purging
  • serious medical complications
  • clinical depression and suicidal thoughts